I am not sure that I find much in this passage except for the historical aspects. I am struck by the armor bearer, however. I find it amazing that the armor bearer was “greatly afraid.” The Easton Bible Dictionary defines an armor bearer as:
An officer selected by kings and generals because of his bravery, not only to bear their armour, but also to stand by them in the time of danger. They were the adjutants of our modern armies (Judges 9:54; 1 Samuel 14:7; 16:21; 31:6).
What strikes me about this is the fact that Saul’s armor bearer became greatly afraid. This was a person, selected by the king or generals because of his bravery. This certainly doesn’t sound like the description of the man in 1 Samuel 31:4. He was not loyal, he was not brave and he certainly didn’t stand by his king in the time of danger. Unlike this armor bearer, Saul did once have a great armor bearer — David (1 Samuel 16:21). David walked with the LORD. He did not walk with Saul. He was focused on his heavenly King and LORD, not the earthly kings. David wore the armor of the LORD (Ephesians 6:10-18). Am I wearing the armor of the LORD? Am I the armor bearer of the LORD? Am I brave, loyal and always by His side? Often times, I put other priorities before Him. This is certainly evident by my quiet time schedule over the past few days.
Father, you know everything about me. You know everything I have every thought. LORD, I want to be changed from the inside out to work for you and your glory. Father, you know I struggle at work to be a good witness to others. Father, I really desire to know Your will in a deeper way. I want to be a good witness and I want to do Your will in everything I do — not just at church. Father, work a miracle in me and help me to become a better person that relies on Christ at the center of my life instead of my false idols. Father, I praise you, I thank you and I ask all of these things in Your Son’s holy precious name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
1 Samuel 30:6 says that David’s men talked of stoning him because they were bitter in soul (NASB translates this as the people were embittered; NIV translates this as each one was bitter in spirit). What does it mean to be bitter in soul or bitter in spirit? I can be bitter about something but does that mean my soul was bitter? These people were outraged! David had left and now all of their sons and daughters have been taken captive. I’m not sure that they could pin this all on David, but regardless, they did. They were ready to kill him because of this. That’s pretty mad. That had to be a tough moment for David. He comes back (after being “kicked out” by the Philistine lords) only to find the city in ruins, all of the women and children gone (including his two wives) and the only thing the people can think about is killing him. Luckily, David was a godly man. He didn’t stress out about this or panic. He rested in the LORD. He knew that the LORD was in control and had strength in that fact. He then prayed to the LORD for wisdom and guidance on if he and his men should chase after the Amalekites. Remember, he just came home to his city in ruins, his wives taken captive and all of his men ready to kill him. What does he do? He asks the LORD if he should go after them. He doesn’t immediately assume such. He starts his prayer by asking if he should chase after them. That is some reliance on God. That is certainly an example of putting all of your trust in the LORD to make your paths right.
As I think about the decisions in my life, do I jump to conclusions too often? Am I quick to think that God did this or did that? Even know, as I look to help the church plant in Hutto, am I jumping too quickly to assume that God wants me to move right now? What if the LORD doesn’t want me to move locations until a year from now. I need to stop making the assumptions and go to the LORD for wisdom.
God’s plan for David would not allow him to go into battle against Israel. David was walking with God. God’s plan was not for David to ever fight His chosen people but to deliver them and bring them closer to God in their walk. Am I going to battle against Israel in my day-to-day walk? Am I supporting my spiritual brothers and sisters or am I causing them to sin? I need to be an encouragement for my Christian brothers and sisters.
David seemed a bit put out by the fact that the Philistine lords did not want him to be a part of their army. It’s interesting because David knew that the LORD did not want him to take Saul’s life at this point. I wonder why he wanted to be a part of that army. If I picture the scenario of 1 Samuel 29:6-11, I imagine David looking somewhat offended by these statements. This is coming from a Hebrew who has just killed tens of thousands of Philistines. That had to be quite a sight to see this!
I thank the LORD that He has a plan for me. He has a path that He wants me to walk down. I am not completely sure of that path but I know that He will guide me daily so that I may walk in a way pleasing to Him and fulfilling His plan for me. I hope that I can only show a glimpse of Christ to others around me as I walk down this path. I want to return the glory to God in my day-to-day life, instead of showing my earthly false idols.
The first paragraph seems odd to me. Why in the world is this included in the chapter? The only thing that really stands out to me is that Achish assumes that David is going to fight on behalf of the Philistines but there is reason to believe (in his answer in 1 Samuel 28:2) that David was really telling Achish that he will fight for Israel — not the Philistines.
Once again, Saul teaches me character. He teaches me how not to act. In this passage, Saul summons Samuel because the LORD will not answer him. I start to think about the guarantee of salvation in the NT. I am digressing from the story here but it is wonderful to know that God always loves me and once I have accepted Christ as my personal savior, He will never leave me. That is incredibly reassuring.
The medium is very intriguing in this story. Does this passage give way for the validity of mediums and psychics? I don’t think it does at all. I think it gives validity to the fact that the LORD will allow miracles to happen for a precise reason. What I question then is why didn’t the LORD just give Saul this message? Why didn’t He tell Saul that he was not walking with God and that he would die on the next day. Why do it through a medium?
I do not feel like I am really getting much from the LORD out of this passage. It is interesting to me that David lies to the king of Gath about his raids. I assume that this was only for his protection. Also, I assume that David was praying about his moves and next steps. I am not sure that I have a clear picture of that from the Scripture.
Something that strikes me suddenly is that, yesterday, when I believe the LORD gave me an answer to my prayer, I was quick to get excited about that answer. At no time did I pray that back to the LORD to make sure that we had a clear understanding. I have to make sure that I pray back to Him what I believe I heard. This ensures clear communication between us — no different than any other relationship. I wonder, however, if David was listening to the LORD at this time?
Luckily, God will provide for His children. He will protect them and He will give them everything they need. I am very thankful to have a God that loves me this same way.